What Can Kids Do While Waiting at a Restaurant? Plus, What Your Kids Do

We just don’t. It’s not because we have kids, though that does play a big part in it. But even before kids, my husband and I just made it a rule for us that we don’t go out to eat a lot. We’d much rather eat at home, with home-cooked food. We actually probably eat out more now with kids than we did prior to them.

Since we don’t eat out a lot though, my kids and I are not pros at behaving well at them.

I’ve said time and time again that my kids like to move, they constantly have to be doing something.

I’m gradually finding games and activities for them to do while waiting at a restaurant for our food to be served. And these have worked awesome since I started utilizing them. It makes the time pass quicker, and with better behaved kids.

Prior to doing these games, I was hoping for crayons to be served to us as we sat down. And that was still a loss most of the time for my kids (hey, they typically don’t care for coloring…). I’ve learned to start bringing stickers and paper too, but they only lasted for a few minutes.

These are five games, or activities, to do while waiting at a restaurant, that work for us.

They have worked great for my kids who are 6, 3 and 1. My one year old is obviously not into these really yet. But I think listening to and watching the older two is entertaining enough for him.

I Spy. This is a staple for us. Almost every restaurant wait starts with this game. Its just so simple without having to have brought anything along.

Play ‘What’s Missing’ with whatever is on the table or in your bag. Set out five or so objects (more for older kids, less for younger) and let them study them. Have them cover their eyes and you take one away. What’s missing? Can they figure it out? Now reverse it, let the kid take something away for you to find what’s missing.

Take along a deck of cards. Younger kids can match up numbers or suits. Older kids can have a game of war.

Get up and walk around. If you have more than one kid, have one parent stay sitting with kids that are busy at the table with these other ideas and ‘hold’ your table. The other parent can get up and walk around antsy kids. Walk to the bathroom. Walk outside for a few minutes. Walk around and look at the pictures on the wall.

Bring the iPad or phone and let them play educational games while you wait. This is usually a last resort, but always does the trick if they’re getting really antsy after a long wait.

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753 Comments

These are good ideas, but I do feel like kids need to learn patience and how to wait quietly. The book Bringing Up Bebe offers a lot of great insight on this subject. When I was young, my mom would give us a bag and tell us to pack anything we wanted in it to keep us entertained, but that she better not hear us say “I’m bored”. She said if we were bored, then we should’ve packed our bag better. :)

No hangman?!? My dad was perpetually coming up with silly sayings for us to solve, as well as fun little riddles and impromptu rock, paper, scissors tourneys. He was also a major proponent for letting us be silly as long as it stayed in our booth… How quiet can you keep this spitball war?

Not sure why it wasn’t said, but what about just spending family time and talking to each other?? It’s what we used to do! We used it as connecting time, because the kids had nowhere to go and nothing else to do but spend time with us!

I love that Lisa! Of course its a great time to connect as a family and learn about their day and what’s going on with them. I guess I didn’t include it as ‘something to do’ because I figured that was what first is tried and once its exhausted the kids, these are some other things to try to get through the waiting peacefully.

I love anything that kept em busy. Now they have well one has two girls. Lol .When she younger acting up Id say one day Gids ginna give U two girls to raise and it will all cime back . Quess what at 5&2 it has. The five year old is getting that attitude. Even with us her Pie. She chose to call him that years ago now bella her sister dies too. Its hilarious. Her other Pie owns a testament called “Fish On Fire” so hes her “Fish On Fire Pie & my dad is her great pie . I need to get that put out . Makes for a great story.

I don’t enjoy waiting in a restaurant with small children so I order them take them th the restroom. .Have them handle business at wash hands. Dry them the back to the table. Usually on is singing or talking about what we’ve seen during the day.

We still have the diaper bag, and therefore always have the entire package of wipes. But when we officially give up the diaper bag… These would be so handy to have! This “clutch n’ clean” packs are such a good idea!! I hope we can give up the diaper bag soon! I haven’t carried my own purse in so long I don’t even know where it is!?

Children should be able to entertain themselves, especially aged 6 and 3. Alternatively they should be able to entertain each other!?

Get up and walk around? People do not want you pushing past them, looking over their shoulders, allowing little hands to run along their jackets hanging on the back of chairs. Nor do the waiters want you in their way.

Bring out the iPad or iPhone is just pure lazy, children should learn to sit patiently in public spaces, don’t allow disruptiveness or cater to bad behaviour.

and the reason I love huggies best? I like that they’re sturdy but soft, I use them for personal care, on the go hand and spill cleaning, and even for gentle surface washing of delicate items. I’ve even used them for a gentle cleaning of my kitties and rabbit!

oh nice! I already carry a small travel pack in my purse for on the go cleanups and a designer tub in my bathroom. did I mention my child is 19? haha! though we have no need of huggies diapers these days, our family never outgrew huggies wipes, and it’s still the only brand wel use! I’d love a clutch to keep in my (giant) purse, I like the floral/leaf pattern.

I just found your website and I love it! My husband and I have raised 6 children and now we’re raising a grandaughter, due to a difficult situation and during the day I’m helping her and her cousin get prepared for kindergarten while watching my 6 month old grandaughter while her mom works. Never a dull second! I was thrilled because in looking thru your post I have found some really fun and creative ideas and been reminded of ideas id forgotten in 38 yrs.. Keep up the good work, I will love hearing from u. By the way, I love the striped clutch.